Utoo Radio - April 8, 2024 - The BC First Nations Justice Council (BCFNJC) released the Indigenous Women's Justice Plan's Final Draft at the 3rd Annual First Nations Justice Forum in Vancouver today. A powerful network of First Nations leaders, Indigenous delegates, and justice partners throughout BC will discuss and act on the Indigenous Women's Justice Plan at the Justice Forum.
“Love is Truth” by Marika Echachis Swan/ƛ̓upinup. This article, on the Indigenous Women's Justice Plan cover, recognizes the medicine of listening to vulnerable community members' actual tales. NWG/BC First Nations Justice Council
“Love is Truth” by Marika Echachis Swan/ƛ̓upinup. This article, on the Indigenous Women's Justice Plan cover, recognizes the medicine of listening to vulnerable community members' actual tales. NWG/BC First Nations Justice Council
Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQIA+ (2S+) people have struggled with colonization's harmful effects for decades, being denied respect, compassion, and justice. Indigenous women make up 50% of federal inmates but only 4% of Canadian women. BCFNJC demands an end to the injustices that have left Indigenous women overrepresented in the justice system and the systemic violence of the MMIWG2S+ genocide.
BCFNJC was asked to work directly with Indigenous women, girls, 2S+, First Nations, and Indigenous groups across BC to develop an Indigenous Women's Justice Plan (IWJP) that prioritizes the safety, wellbeing, and dignity of Indigenous women, girls, and 2S+people and improves justice system outcomes for them under Strategy 11 of the BC First Nations Justice Strategy. BCFNJC's Team developed the IWJP through participation, connection, and truth-telling, drawing from the MMIWG2S+ Inquiry Calls for Justice, the Red Women Rising Report, and the Highway of Tears Symposium Report.
BCFNJC held seventeen engagements in BC communities in fall 2023, including virtual sessions for 2S+ and disabled people. The IWJP Guiding Draft informed and guided these communities' engagement. IWJP: Final Draft incorporated community engagement session feedback and observations.
Final Draft was created by Indigenous women, girls, and 2S+ individuals, reflects the needs and voices of Indigenous women, girls, 2S+, relations, and communities who engaged in engagements and those who spoke up elsewhere. The Final Draft of the IWJP, which is meant to be a dynamic, living document that addresses Indigenous communities' needs and priorities, will guide the work moving ahead. Today during the 3rd Annual First Nations Justice Forum, First Nations leaders, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Indigenous justice organizations, and other collaborators will review the Final Draft.
The IWJP is based on the idea that Indigenous women, girls, and 2S+ people are Matriarchs, Knowledge Keepers, healers, instructors, artists, and storytellers. They are community pillars, and true justice and healing depend on their safety and well-being. The IWJP does not propose new methods or guidelines. Instead, it acknowledges that Indigenous women and communities hold the answers. IWJP supports self-determined justice pathways and makes solutions and demands a reality.
Since the IWJP's implementation requires government support, participation, and funding, BCFNJC is excited to begin engagement and planning with federal and provincial government partners across all ministries once Justice Forum feedback and insights are integrated into the Final Draft. The Final Draft begins with an accessible version that prioritizes Indigenous women, girls, and 2S+ voices. A Proposed Collaborative Action Plan is offered in the appendices to help government partners amend and implement the IWJP. BCFNJC will collaborate with provincial and federal governments to create clear routes and decision processes to achieve IWJP goals and support the sacred work of empowering and protecting Indigenous women, girls, and 2S+ people.
